The following articles are Best Practices in determining behavior in shelters:

Behavioral Assessment in Animal Shelters By Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB

Shelter Cats: The Behavioral Implications of Long Term Stay, and Methods of Alleviating Stress By Dilara G. Parry

Behavior Problems and Long-Term Housing of Shelter Dogs By Jean Donaldson

Handling Shelter Cats – a conversation with Joan Miller